Carlisle Set for Boost as CML Develops Network Rail Depot at Kingmoor

Building for a Sustainable Future

CML were successfully awarded the contract to deliver a brand-new depot facility for Network Rail at Kingmoor, Carlisle. Work commenced on-site in February, and the team have already made impressive progress. With steelwork successfully erected and block and beam floor installed, the focus has been on the installation of a 34,000-litre cess tank which will manage wastewater from the facility.

A Purpose-Built, Sustainable Facility

The new facility will feature a custom-designed building equipped with changing rooms, an office, kitchen, and meeting room. A key feature of the design is the weighbridge, installed directly alongside the building. The structure is slightly elevated so the office window aligns with the height of wagon cabs, allowing for clear visual contact and direct communication with drivers as they arrive for weighing.

Sustainability has been central to the project. We’re installing EV charging points and solar panels to support Network Rail’s environmental goals and help future-proof the site.

Milestones Achieved

  • Steelwork was successfully erected between 22nd and 29th May.
  • The block and beam floor has been installed.
  • The attenuation tank – essential for surface water management – has been completed.

The blockwork for the main building is now complete, as are the block and brick staircase upstands to raised areas. All steelwork and cold-rolled steel elements have been installed-marking a key milestone in the superstructure phase.

 

Overcoming Challenges

Roofing & Cladding Underway

The roof is now fully clad using high-performance Kingspan composite panels, chosen for their fire resistance, thermal insulation, and acoustic properties. Specialist contractors have also installed sun dome openings to increase natural daylight and reduce reliance on artificial lighting. With the roof sealed and watertight, wall cladding has begin, moving us closer to a completed building envelope.

Cess Tank Installation – Overcoming Ground Challenges

A major focus in recent weeks has been the installation of a 34,000-litre cess tank, which will manage wastewater from the facility. Located near the future car park, the tank will be accessed via a dedicated lay-by for safe and convenient emptying.

This part of the project has presented several challenges:

  • The team encountered large buried concrete foundations, remnants of a previous structure.
  • A hydraulic bracing system and 5.5m sheet piles were used to safely shore the excavation.
  • Groundwater required daily pumping to maintain safe working conditions.

All works were delivered by CML operatives recently trained in shoring installations, using a 25-tonne excavator and vibrating arm to drive piles into place.

 

Safety First – Confined Space Protocols

With the deep excavation work for the cess tank, robust confined space safety controls were implemented:

  • Continuous gas monitoring (CO₂/O₂)
  • Emergency escape sets at access points
  • Ladder access with inertia reel systems
  • Full edge protection and physical barriers
  • Trained operatives on standby with 3-way gas detection
  • Emergency rescue equipment and plan in place

The excavation has now reached its required depth, and preparations are underway for the concrete base pour ahead of tank installation.

Looking Ahead

With roofing nearly complete and internal works on the horizon, the Kingmoor depot development is progressing at pace. Thanks to excellent collaboration between our teams, design partners Studio One, and a range of specialist subcontractors, we’re well on track to deliver a high-quality, sustainable facility that meets Network Rail’s operational and environmental ambitions.

Stay tuned for more updates as we move into the next phase of the build.

 

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